Pendle

Olympic windfall for East Lancashire

CYCLE hero Steven Burke and a crop of athletics hopefuls are not East Lancashire’s only Olympic legacy —local clubs and trusts are set to share in a £260,000 windfall from the London games.

No fewer than five organisations are set to benefit from London 2012 legacy funding under Sport England’s Inspired Facilities programme.

Nearly £70,000 is being invested in ambitious plans by Burnley Council to create a wakeboarding and canoeing centre on Rowley Lake.

Coun John Harbour, the borough’s leisure cabinet member, said: “This is a significant step towards making our ambitious vision for Brun Valley Forest Park, and particularly the area around Rowley Lake, a reality.

“The aim is to provide a lasting sporting legacy, not only for local people but also to attract visitors from a wide area.”

Sport England has also given £50,000 to Pendle Leisure Trust, which will spend the funding on rep-lacing the running track at Seedhill, near Nelson, and the discus area.

And Rossendale Leis-ure Trust will use ano-ther £50,000 handout to upgrade the pavilion at Marl Pits sports centre in Rawtenstall, home to Rossendale RUFC and Rossendale Harriers.

Trust chief executive Martin Kay said: “The money will be used for the shower blocks and changing rooms and will benefit all the users, from rugby players to junior athletes.”

The Bowmen of Pendle and Samlesbury, an East Lancashire archery club, formed by the merger of two local clubs, has also been given £50,000 to spend on new kit.

Around £2.3million was given out to North West organisations as a result of the latest funding round, which is part of the Places People Play Olympic and Paralympic legacy programme.

Hugh Robertson, Mini-ster for Sport and Tour-ism said: “Six months on from the start of the Games, we have extrem-ely strong foundations in place for the legacy.”